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Chaiman's Address
It’s a period of renewal at FWPA as we invite nominations for new members of our Board and for our Advisory Groups responsible for guiding FWPA research.At the same time, our work to promote the timber industry goes from strength to strength, both in terms of ongoing research and successful events like National Carpenters Day.
Genetic study of Shining Gums offers hope for accelerated breeding
Every forestry manager wants trees that will grow efficiently, make the best use of land and water resources and maximise yields. However, traditional selective breeding of trees for desired traits can take decades before commercial varieties are a reality.A new study into the genetic variations in a number of Shining Gum genes that may improve kraft pulp yield, cellulose and growth suggests plantation managers selecting offspring of trees with the desired qualities could improve profitability by more than $40m per year.
Call for new Advisory Group members
The Advisory Groups that help guide research and development projects supported by FWPA and assist in passing the results of these projects onto stakeholders are undergoing a process of renewal.Many of the members appointed for a three-year period when the groups were created back in May 2007 may choose to step down to allow other individuals to participate within the advisory groups. Now FWPA is seeking nominations from additional members with additional skill sets in R&D and innovation to fill these positions.
Leading international speakers booked for WoodSolutions 2010
Forest and Wood Products Australia is holding a series of forums designed to inspire Australia’s architects, engineers and building designers to incorporate more timber in their designs.WoodSolutions 2010 will tour Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, featuring forums and presentations from some of the world’s foremost architects and timber specialists.
New Industry Group Seeks to Reform Building Codes & Standards
A new group has been established that will help oversee the streamlining of building codes and standards covering the timber industry.The 13-strong Standards Reference Group will be responsible for communicating and consulting with industry on forthcoming reform as FWPA works alongside Standards Australia to reduce the number of codes and standards from the current level of 150.
Wood. Naturally Better.™ campaign latest
Thousands of people gathered at more than 100 BBQs across Australia to celebrate the nation’s chippies at the second National Carpenters Day. The event saw a Tasmanian named Australia’s 2010 Carpenter of the Year and secured widespread media coverage for the key messages of the Wood. Naturally Better.TM program.The program also spread the word about the benefits of timber use in construction at the 2010 designEX in Sydney attended by 14,500 people.
FWPA sending top Australian students to World Conference
A new initiative by FWPA’s Wood. Naturally Better.TM program is sending eight top engineering students from Australia’s leading universities to the five-day World Conference on Timber Engineering in Italy.They will bring knowledge gained from more than 500 speakers and submissions back to their faculties to boost local understanding of the latest developments in timber construction. The initiative is set to be expanded for the 2012 conference in New Zealand.
Project reports posted on website March 2010 - May 2010
| Project Number | Project Title |
|---|---|
| PRC115-0809 | Methods to accurately assess water allocation impacts of plantations (Info Sheet) |
| PNB034-0506 | The durability of isocyanate-based adhesives under service in Australian conditions. The results from a 3 year exposure study and accelerated testing regime (Literature Review) |
| PNB034-0506 | The durability of isocyanatebased adhesives under service in Australian conditions. The results from a 3 year exposure study and accelerated testing regime (Research Report) |
| PNA012-0708 | Innovative engineered timber building systems for non-residential applications, utilising timber concrete composite flooring capable of spanning up to 8 to 10m |
| PNC052-0708 | Accelerated breeding for high pulp yield in E. nitens using DNA markers identified in 100 cell wall genes: The Hottest 100 |
| PNB158-0910 | Green Adhesives: Options for the Australian industry – summary of recent research into green adhesives from renewable materials and identification of those that are closest to commercial uptake |
Approved Projects March 2010 - May 2010
| Project | Research Provider | FWPA Investment | Total Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| PNC175-0910: Forest industry cooperative pesticide research, chemical registration, industry and community education and chemical use and application regulation advice consortium | Australian Plantation Products and Paper Industry | 500,000 | 1,000,000 |
| Totals (excluding GST) | 500,000 | 1,000,000 |